bngrdn Senior Member Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Denver, CO, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quickmill Alexia Dual PID Grinder: Anfim Best
Posted Mon Aug 3, 2009, 4:05pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Vs. Mazzer Mini For Espresso ONLY
Hi,
After careful consideration of the above, I purchased an Anfim Best for the following reasons:
Mark's thoughtful comments and recommendation (Thanks Mark!)
As the subject line indicates, I'm only interested in espresso at this time
When I decide to delve into drip/press/vac, I can purchase a Vario (or something similar), which by then I assume will have been significantly improved upon
Price of New Anfim Best is equal if not less than a used Mazzer Mini/SJ
I would like to thank everyone for their thoughtful comments and help. Coffee Geek is truly a special community.
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,018 Location: Philadelphia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Duetto 3, A Dead Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Preciso w/Esatto,... Drip: Brazen Roaster: Diedrich IR-1, HT B
Posted Tue Aug 4, 2009, 5:22pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Vs. Mazzer Mini For Espresso ONLY
DigMe Said:
Rob,
As far as size goes most people run their SJ's without the hopper. I ran mine like that and I also use my Mini the same way because my cabinets are very low. You can fit enough beans for a double shot in the throat. I put them in there and cover them with a little plastic tamper to keep them from popcorning out.
I see a time in the future where I will have dedicated space for my espresso and roasting needs so I have never ruled out the SJ. I really was amazed at the Vario's capabilities and the praise it got I just needed to get one, plus it has those nifty slide levers.
And triples, if you simply wait a few secs, and add the final half-scoop during grinding before the bean level drops too much. I use my tamper to prevent the 'bingo ball effect'. ;)
mthedude Senior Member Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 313 Location: VA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: La Spaziale Junior Vac Pot: n/a Drip: Cuisinart Grind & Brew Roaster: n/a
Posted Mon Aug 24, 2009, 9:51am Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Vs. Mazzer Mini For Espresso ONLY
I wouldn't worry about the ceramic burrs...in order to crack or break something, it has to come into contact with something harder than it to break it, or flex it....take 2 hammers and bang them head to head....one will break/crack eventually....hit that same hammer on a galvanized nail and you'll be pounding for years before you break the head...galvanized steal is softer than a hammer head....same thing w/the grinder burrs... as long as they don't come in contact with each other or something harder than ceramic...you'll be fine, coffee beans won't break ceramic burrs.
jmilanski Senior Member Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Boulder, CO Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Aug 24, 2009, 12:22pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Vs. Mazzer Mini For Espresso ONLY
Ben, Care to give an update on how you like your Anfim Best grinder? Where did you buy it?
I am considering it against a LeLit PL53 ($269, doserless, stepless, but also compact). Until I read the thread you started, I had rejected the Vario, since many said the Vario was better as a multi-purpose grinder (I only need espresso), but now I wonder about that too.
Anyone else have thoughts about the LeLit versus Vario versus Anfim Best? My focus is espresso only, quiet, compact, 2 grinds/day. Thanks!
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Mon Aug 24, 2009, 6:00pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Vs. Mazzer Mini For Espresso ONLY
jmilanski Said:
I am considering it against a LeLit PL53 ($269, doserless, stepless, but also compact). Until I read the thread you started, I had rejected the Vario, since many said the Vario was better as a multi-purpose grinder (I only need espresso), but now I wonder about that too.
Just to be clear: it is not that "the Vario was better as a multi-purpose grinder." Rather, it's that the Vario is one of the VERY FEW grinders that can grind equally well for espresso and for French Press. Grinders that are designed for espresso -- think Mazzer, Macap, Le'Lit, and Anfim, to name a few -- excel at espresso, but rarely do they do anything else well. The Vario* is, in the estimation of many, is the equal of a Mazzer Super Jolly in terms of grind consistency. Purchasing both new, the Vario is $250 less.
bngrdn Senior Member Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Denver, CO, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quickmill Alexia Dual PID Grinder: Anfim Best
Posted Tue Aug 25, 2009, 2:58pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Vs. Mazzer Mini For Espresso ONLY
Hi John,
I purchased the Anfim Best (in black) from Visions Espresso click here for $395.00 and it cost $26.22 to ship. The chrome model costs $425.00 but the added cost wasn't worth it to me. The grinder was shipped to me the day after I ordered it online and I received it about 5 days later. It was double boxed in its original factory box. I would highly recommend Visions Espresso, even though they appear to be the only North American distributor of Anfim grinders. I spoke to Cliff from Visions a couple times over the phone about other products and he was very helpful.
I wish I could give you a better review of the grinder but, since this is my first grinder, I have nothing to compare it to. Nevertheless, here are the specifications from Anfim's website (click here) and my initial thoughts:
Steel grinders Ø 54mm;
Motor power 300 Watt
Coffee-bean hopper capacity gr.500
Adjustable dose from 5 to 10 gr.
Dimensions 145 x 240 x 380H
Net weight kg. 8
Voltages: 110 / 220 / 230 / 240
Standard colours: black – silver
To my ears, it sounds as loud as a commercial grinder found in a coffee shop (e.g. Mazzer Super Jolly). Don't get me wrong, it's not uncomfortably loud but it's not a humming bird either. You can get a sense of the grinder's noise and operation from this video by Mark Prince where he pairs it with a Rancilio Silvia click here. It's relatively small (smaller than an SJ) but it's not small enough to fill the hopper while sitting under my kitchen cupboards. My espresso bar in on my kitchen's island though.
Unlike the LeLit, it is a stepped grinder. I don't know how much of a disadvantage this is yet, but I can choke my machine on a setting of 3 so it should have a broad enough range for you. It, however, does have a doser unlike the LeLit and Vario. Again, I don't know how important this is yet, but I've found that it doses to the left unlike in Mark's video where it appears to dose evenly. I even started a thread to get some insight into this but have received very little responses (click here). The overall construction appears to be good, but mind you, it is not a commercial grinder so some of the components (e.g. step adjustment and internal doser components) are made of plastic.
Overall, I still feel good about my reasons for purchasing the Best (I can't say the same about my espresso machine):
Mark's thoughtful comments and recommendation (Thanks Mark!)
As the subject line indicates, I'm only interested in espresso at this time
When I decide to delve into drip/press/vac, I can purchase a Vario (or something similar), which by then I assume will have been significantly improved upon
Price of New Anfim Best is equal if not less than a used Mazzer Mini/SJ
Since you live in Colorado, you're welcome to drop by my home sometime and check it out if you're in the area. Just send me a PM and we'll arrange a time.
Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009, 6:50am Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Vs. Mazzer Mini For Espresso ONLY
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
BUT if I needed a dedicated espresso grinder in the $450 range (new), I too would grab the Mazzer Mini or Anfim Best. (Having no experience with the Anfim Best wouldn't stop me; I'd happily take Mark's word for it.)
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009, 8:43am Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Vs. Mazzer Mini For Espresso ONLY
Nowhere that I know of . . . but you can get a brand new Baratza Vario for less than that!
That said, "$450" isn't my number -- it comes from Mark Prince in this quote:
MarkPrince Said:
Now the Vario vs the Anfim Best - that's a lot closer. If I had $450 to spend on only one grinder for my home, I'd go with the Vario hands down. But if I already had a suitable drip/press grinder, I'd go for the Anfim for my espresso needs.
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